Quotes from Juan Mata

Everything I do is about improvement.

I've been lucky to be born in Spain to a good family. But some team-mates reached the same position from a tough background. Football is equal, and it doesn't matter where you come from.

I had the luck of being in Madrid. They sign some of the best players in the world, and that really leaves fewer opportunities for young players.

For a kid that just played for Oviedo, to then going to play for a team like Real Madrid, it felt fantastic. But being taken out of my family home and moving away alone, into the residence Madrid have for young players, it was a bit difficult. But as time passed, I got used to it.

I cannot control what people think. But I can control myself and my aim, and my head is focused on trying to win trophies.

Sometimes you look at footballers and think they're selfish or they don't bring a good image to society. But sometimes people underestimate footballers and their capacity to have a strong opinion and sympathy for others.

For me, it would be the perfect summer to play in the Euros and then the Olympics. My desire is to play in both.